Sunland Park meet extended to May 3

The New Mexico Racing Commission has granted Sunland eight additional race dates in a move that will extend the current meet to May 3. Sunland’s meet was originally scheduled to end April 19.

Sunland was forced to suspend live racing Jan. 23 due to an outbreak of the equine herpesvirus. Racing resumed Feb. 26.

The commission on Monday will consider a request by Sunland to raise overnight purses. Sunland’s request, according to the meeting agenda, is to raise overnight purses 15 percent starting March 29 and continuing through May 3. The track also seeks to retroactively increase purses 15 percent from Dec. 18 to March 27.

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